“This year we have seen a shift from an employer market to a student market,” says Mercy Eyadiel, executive director of employer relations at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., a nationally recognized leader in rethinking career development, supporting students in the college to career transition and preparing graduates for today’s job market.
“The uptick in hiring is definitely playing out for top talent, and it has forced employers to make offers sooner. They have to act quickly.”
Eyadiel says consulting, financial services and information technology continue to be strong areas for opportunity and growth — with recruiting in several of these industries returning to pre-recession levels.
One surprise: The number of positions available for graduates interested in communications has increased. According to Michigan State’s employer survey, hiring in the communications field is expected to grow by 51 percent over last year.
“One reason for this increase may be that as organizations are embracing Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and the next new platforms, they need talented people from a variety of academic backgrounds to develop, analyze and interpret data and incorporate the information into their communications strategies. They are not just hiring communication majors, they’re hiring across disciplines from among undergrads and graduate students.”
Though hiring is increasing, Eyadiel says graduates need to understand the employment landscape remains competitive. An estimated 1.8 million young adults are expected to graduate with bachelor’s degrees this year.
“Grads who have been aggressive in networking and preparing for employment opportunities throughout their time in college — not just in the spring of senior year — have an advantage in the job market.”
For grads who walk across the stage without knowing exactly where they are going afterward, Eyadiel says applications and interviews can lead to job offers in the future. “Employers hire based on need, not just because it’s graduation time.”
Eyadiel believes that key to helping students secure not just any job, but the right job, is a strong network of people who teach, guide and support them both personally and professionally. With more than 15 years of experience in career development, her mission and passion are to help students discover their values and provide ways for them to translate their interests into a rewarding career. She has been quoted in national media outlets ranging from the Wall Street Journal to Parents magazine.
VIDEO: Eyadiel talks about trends in the 2015 employment market here.
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